Braking and locking system for a treadmill

Abstract

A system for a manual treadmill having a tread that rotates around a front axle and a rear axle and side rails on opposing sides of the tread includes a brake configured to slow rotation of at least one of the front axle or the rear axle, a controller, and a first presence sensor in communication with the controller, the first presence sensor positioned on a side rail and configured to detect a user on the side rail. The brake is not normally engaged during operation of the treadmill when the tread is moving and the first presence sensor does not detect the user on the side rail. The controller is configured to, in response to the first presence sensor subsequently detecting the user on the side rail, engage the brake.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for a manual treadmill, the manual treadmill including a tread that rotates around a front axle and a rear axle and side rails on opposing sides of the tread, the system comprising:
 a brake configured to slow rotation of at least one of the front axle or the rear axle; 
 a controller; and 
 a first presence sensor in communication with the controller, the first presence sensor positioned on a side rail and configured to detect a user on the side rail, 
 wherein the brake is not engaged during operation of the treadmill when the tread is moving and the first presence sensor does not detect the user on the side rail, the controller configured to:
 in response to the first presence sensor subsequently detecting the user on the side rail, engage the brake. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 after the brake has been engaged, in response to the first presence sensor subsequently detecting the user is not on the side rail and the tread has not stopped, disengage the brake. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , after the brake has been engaged, while the first presence sensor continues to detect the user is on the side rail and the tread has not stopped, disengage the brake at a predetermined low threshold speed. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tread sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect a speed of the tread, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the brake during operation of the treadmill while the tread is moving and the first presence sensor does not detect the user on the side rail based on the speed detected by the tread sensor. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive an input selecting a maximum speed of the tread; and 
 engage the brake when the tread sensor detects that the tread has reached the maximum speed, the brake applied to maintain the maximum speed. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive input of a desired tread speed while the tread is moving and the first presence sensor does not detect the user on the side rail; and 
 control the speed of the tread using the brake to maintain the desired tread speed according to the input. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive input of a desired tread speed; 
 while the tread is moving and the first presence sensor does not detect the user on the side rail, control the speed of the tread using the brake to maintain the desired tread speed according to the input. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism configured to, when engaged, prevent rotation of at least one of the front axle and the rear axle when the presence sensor detects that the user is not on the side rails and the tread has come to a complete stop. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the brake comprises:
 a braking member; 
 a braking member receiver attached to the at least one of the front axle or the rear axle; and 
 an actuator, wherein the actuator is in communication with the controller, and wherein the actuator is configured to move the braking member relative to the braking member receiver to engage the brake in response to receiving a signal from the controller. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the braking member is configured to apply a magnetic force to the braking member receiver to decrease rotation speed of the braking member receiver. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the braking member receiver comprises:
 a coupling disposed around the at least one of the front axle or the rear axle; and 
 a flange extending from the coupling, wherein the flange includes a magnetic material. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the treadmill includes a display positioned on the treadmill, in communication with the controller, and configured to receive an input from the user. 
     
     
       13. A system for a manual treadmill, the manual treadmill including a tread that rotates around a front axle and a rear axle and side rails on opposing sides of the tread, the system comprising:
 a brake configured to slow rotation of at least one of the front axle or the rear axle; 
 a controller; and 
 a tread sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect a speed of the tread, the controller configured to:
 receive an input from a user of a desired tread speed; and 
 during operation of the manual treadmill by the user, control the speed of the tread by engaging and disengaging the brake to maintain the desired tread speed. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive an input selecting a maximum speed of the tread; and 
 engage the brake when the tread sensor detects that the tread has reached the maximum speed, the brake applied to maintain the maximum speed. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the brake comprises:
 a braking member; 
 a braking member receiver attached to the at least one of the front axle or the rear axle; and 
 an actuator, wherein the actuator is in communication with the controller, and wherein the actuator is configured to move the braking member relative to the braking member receiver to engage the brake in response to receiving a signal from the controller. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the braking member is configured to apply a magnetic force to the braking member receiver to decrease rotation speed of the braking member receiver. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the braking member receiver comprises:
 a coupling disposed around the at least one of the front axle or the rear axle; and 
 a flange extending from the coupling, wherein the flange includes a magnetic material. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the treadmill includes a display positioned on the treadmill, in communication with the controller, and configured to receive the input from the user. 
     
     
       19. A system for a manual treadmill, the manual treadmill including a tread that rotates around a front axle and a rear axle and side rails on opposing sides of the tread, the system comprising:
 a controller; 
 a brake configured to slow a rotation speed of at least one of the front axle and the rear axle in response to a signal from the controller; 
 a presence sensor configured to detect a user on the manual treadmill; and 
 a locking mechanism configured to, when engaged, prevent rotation of at least one of the front axle and the rear axle when the presence sensor detects that the user is not on the manual treadmill.